Kansas State men’s basketball saw substantial roster changes after the 2025–26 season, including the exit of center Dorin Buca creating a significant gap at one of the hardest positions to replace.
Kansas State betting big on the upside of New Mexico transfer JT Rock
The cost of acquiring true centers in college basketball has skyrocketed. CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein recently noted that players like former Kansas big man Flory Bidunga could command up to $5 million figures he says have “reset the big man market.”
With that kind of NIL money available, top centers have far less incentive to turn pro strictly for financial reasons. If they can earn that level of income while still having eligibility, staying in college becomes an appealing choice.
But for programs like Kansas State, paying anything close to $5 million simply isn’t feasible. In fact, even many Power Four teams can’t sustain that spending. That’s why players like JT Rock are so valuable.
Rock redshirted at Iowa State under T.J. Otzelberger, developing within one of the country’s elite programs. Even without game minutes, he was exposed to a winning culture and trained alongside high-level talent such as Milan Momcilovic, Tamin Lipsey, Tre King, and Hasan Ward core contributors to a Cyclones team that won the Big 12 Tournament and reached the Sweet 16.
Those behind-the-scenes experiences don’t show up on a price tag. Players like Rock offer development, grit, and growth earned in practice, qualities that are increasingly rare and increasingly important in a money-driven landscape.
How JT Rock fits into Kansas State’s 2026–27 lineup
Rock has a clear path to minutes in the frontcourt if he earns a spot in the starting rotation. Kansas State can utilize him in the midrange and as a dependable interior scoring option. His impact, however, will depend on how many minutes he plays.
If coach Casey Alexander deploys Rock similarly to how Jerome Tang used Buca mainly as a reserve—that changes the approach. With forwards like Andrej Kostic and Isaiah Abraham, the Wildcats could lean more heavily toward perimeter-oriented lineups with stronger outside scoring.
Balancing frontcourt physicality with perimeter shooting will be crucial to Kansas State’s overall performance. If Rock thrives in the role the staff envisions for him, fans will have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
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